Independent Learning Task Principles:
All Independent Learning Tasks (homework) will be meaningful and will enable students to become better independent learners. Students will complete high quality independent learning tasks that will support them to make outstanding progress but will also have the opportunity to enjoy a rich life outside of school.
Independent Learning Tasks are set to fulfil many purposes:
We are highly ambitious for our students’ progression and development.
A critical factor towards supporting our students to succeed in their academic studies and their lives post 16, is to continue their hard work with independent learning tasks.
Our independent learning strategy provides the opportunity for all of our students to;
- Nurture positive habits by providing opportunities to take responsibility for their learning
- Develop their organisational and time management skills
- Deepen their understanding by extending and reinforcing what has been taught to aid long term retention
- Build resilience
- Become confident self-regulating learners
- Develop their curiosity
How can you support your child with Independent Learning Tasks?
- Discuss and be positive about the value of completing independent learning.
- Routinely check your child’s Google Classroom To Do list, and their planner.
- Encourage your child to complete their independent learning on the day it is set wherever possible.
- Ensure your child brings their planner & any paper-based independent learning to school.
- Ensure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to complete their independent learning tasks.
- Support your child to develop their time management – consider a set time each day to complete independent learning.
- Communicate with your child’s teacher if you need support – we do not want Independent Learning to be a source of tension at home.
- Encourage your child to complete all ILT – this will help to build positive independent learning habits.
Knowledge Organisers
All curriculum areas have Knowledge Organisers created to work alongside each Scheme of Learning. Knowledge organisers are a valuable tool for both students, staff and parents. Class teachers have created these and will use them as part of their teaching and so it is important that students should review, revise and quiz themselves using their knowledge organisers. Knowledge organisers are a really clear and easy to understand way for you to be more aware of what your children are learning each half term to support them. Links to these will be shared each half-term via letter or can be found under the corresponding subject here: English : Brinsworth Academy . Please use the drop-down menu for other curriculum areas.
How you can help
There are a number of ways you can help your child use these knowledge organisers.
1. Discuss the content and key vocabulary on the knowledge organisers.
2. Use the method of Look > Cover > Say > Write > Check to encourage your child to recall the information and key words on them.
3. Ask your child questions linked to the content in order to check that they can remember the key information and vocabulary.
4. Ask your child to explain what they are learning about in the different subjects and cross-check it with the knowledge organisers. Students may like to create flashcards or mind maps to support their recall or continue to use the look > cover > say > write > check method.
All ILT will be assigned on Edulink.
Schedule:
Graduating ILT Programme: | |
Year 7 & Year 8 | 1 hr x English1 hr x Sparx Maths30 mins x Science30 mins x Geography30 mins x History30 mins x German20 mins x Reading per day (Monday – Friday)ILT for other subjects will be set when relevant and should take no more than 1 hour per week.4 hours per week + 20 mins Reading per day |
Year 9 | 1 hr x Eng1 hr x Sparx Maths1 hr x Science45 mins x Geography45 mins x History45 mins x French6 hours per week |
Year 10 | 1 hr x English1 hr x Maths1 hr x Science (2 hrs x Separate Science)1 hr x Geography/History/German1 hr per option subject7 hours per weekEvery subject area will also set a Revision Task each week.This will demonstrate to students how they can complete extra work. |
Year 11Stage 1 | 1.5 hr x Maths1.5 hr x English1.5 hr x Science (3 x Separate)1.5 hr x Geography/History/French1.5 hr per option subject10.5 hours per weekEvery subject area will also set a Revision Task each week.This will demonstrate to students how they can complete extra work. |
Homework
The homework section operates as a standalone homework system where teachers can set homework through Edulink One. Teachers have the ability to upload homework using Google Classroom if this has been enabled by their school. However, this is a visual of the homework only. Students can see what homework has been set when it is due and they can also mark it as completed.
The student and parent will see the homework in a list format; this can be organised by clicking on the headings.
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The student and parent can then click on the text of the homework to read the requirements. To exit this just click on the X in the top right corner.
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Once the student has completed the homework assignment, they should click the Completed button to notify their teacher the work has been done. It is important to note that parents can only view set homework.
For work that is to be handed in, the teacher may ask for the work to be emailed or sent to a Teams or Google Classroom location or any shared drive solution the school may use.
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Once the student has clicked completed, they will need to wait for the teacher to review the work.
If the teacher has an issue with the homework, then they will contact the student and mark the work as received but not completed as per below.
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If the teacher is happy with the completed work, they will mark the work as completed and it will appear with a green check in the received column.
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Please Note: Students can add their own homework using the Add Homework option. This will not be reviewed by the teacher but can be used to help students create a study plan, self-assessments, etc…
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They would need to provide a title, subject and due date and some text of what this activity is about. This could be used to show teachers extra work completed.
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